Method for loading a media feeder to accommodate users with disabilities

ABSTRACT

A method of loading a media feeder of a printer system including: receiving a first input from a user selecting a first loading preference; storing a first position of the tray in at least one memory element; moving with at least one motor, the tray in a first direction a first distance from the first position to a second position; loading a first quantity of media into the tray; receiving a second input indicating the first quantity of media has been loaded into the tray; and, moving the tray in a second direction, opposite the first direction, until a first sheet of the first quantity of media is in a feeding position for the printer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to providing a methodfor loading a media feeder, more specifically, a method foraccommodating users with disabilities for loading paper into a mediafeeder.

BACKGROUND

Printers and printer systems having media feeders such as a HighCapacity Feeder (HCF) are typically arranged with the HCF located in thelowest position possible, i.e., closest to the floor. When the mediafeeder needs to be filled with printable media, e.g., paper orenvelopes, the tray of the HCF lowers itself to the lowest positionpossible within the HCF and media is loaded in successive quantitiesfrom the bottom up. It can be difficult and problematic for those whouse a wheelchair, cane or crutches, or who have difficulty bending overfar enough to load media into the tray of the HCF at this low of aposition without compromising the integrity of the stack of printablemedia.

SUMMARY

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method ofloading a media feeder of a printer including: receiving a first inputfrom a user selecting a first loading preference; storing a firstposition of the tray in at least one memory element; moving with atleast one motor, the tray in a first direction a first distance from thefirst position to a second position; loading a first quantity of mediainto the tray; receiving a second input indicating the first quantity ofmedia has been loaded into the tray; and, moving the tray in a seconddirection, opposite the first direction, until a first sheet of thefirst quantity of media is in a feeding position for the printer.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method ofloading a media feeder of a printer including: receiving a first inputfrom a user selecting a first loading preference; storing a firstposition of the tray in at least one memory element; moving with atleast one motor, the tray in a first direction a first distance from thefirst position to a second position; loading a first quantity of mediainto the tray; receiving a second input indicating the first quantity ofmedia has been loaded into the tray; moving the tray in the firstdirection to a third position a second distance from the secondposition; loading a second quantity of media into the tray; receiving athird input indicating the second quantity of media has been loaded intothe tray; and, moving the tray in a second direction, opposite the firstdirection, until a first sheet of the second quantity of media is in afeeding position for the printer.

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a mediafeeder including a tray arranged to hold media, a motor arranged to movethe tray in a first direction and a second direction opposite the firstdirection, a sensor arranged to detect at least one position of thetray, a processor arranged to execute a set of steps, and a memoryelement arranged to store the set of steps. The set of steps includes:receiving a first input from a user selecting a first loadingpreference; storing a first position of the tray in the memory element;moving the tray with the motor in the first direction a first distancefrom the first position to a second position; loading a first quantityof media into the tray; receiving a second input indicating the firstquantity of media has been loaded into the tray; and, moving the tray inthe second direction until a first sheet of the first quantity of mediais in a feeding position.

Other objects, features and advantages of one or more embodiments willbe readily appreciable from the following detailed description and fromthe accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are disclosed, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding referencesymbols indicate corresponding parts, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a printer systemhaving an embodiment of a present high capacity feeder therein and anembodiment of a present high capacity feeder adjacent thereto;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view an embodiment of present a mediafeeder in a first position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view an embodiment of present a mediafeeder in a second position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view an embodiment of present a mediafeeder in a third position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view an embodiment of present a mediafeeder in a fourth position;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of steps of a method for loadinga media feeder of a printer;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment of steps of a computer basedmethod for loading a media feeder of a printer; and,

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a printer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers ondifferent drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar,structural elements of the embodiments set forth herein. Furthermore, itis understood that these embodiments are not limited to the particularmethodologies, materials and modifications described and as such may, ofcourse, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the disclosed embodiments, which arelimited only by the appended claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill inthe art to which these embodiments belong.

Furthermore, the words “printer”, “printer system”, “printing system”,“printer device” and “printing device” as used herein encompasses anyapparatus, such as a digital copier, bookmaking machine, facsimilemachine, multi-function machine, etc. which performs a print outputtingfunction for any purpose. Additionally, as used herein, “sheet,” “sheetof paper”, “paper” and “media” refer to, for example, paper,transparencies, parchment, film, fabric, plastic, photo-finishing papersor other coated or non-coated substrate media in the form of a sheetupon which information or markings can be visualized and/or reproduced.

The words “media feeder” as used herein encompasses any automatic mediafeeder which accepts several sheets of media and feeds one sheet at atime into a printer or copier, allowing the user to print or copymultiple-sheet documents without having to manually feed each sheetduring printing. It should be appreciated that “media feeder” includesbut is not limited to any High Capacity Feeder (HCF) capable ofaccepting a quantity of media, e.g., more than one ream of media, andarranged to subsequently deliver the media to a printer one sheet at atime.

The term “User Interface” or “UI”, as used herein, encompasses any meansof providing communications from or to an end user, including viagraphics, text, audio, video, data input, such as voice, typing, touchscreen, graphical user interface or other means of input or outputto/from any device, including a wireless communication device, or othercomputing devices. Such UIs may include information and/or actions thatare available for viewing, use or interaction with an end user. As usedherein, “button” encompasses any physical or tangible button, switch,indicator light, etc., including buttons depicted exclusively on agraphical display, and any non-physical or intangible voice activation,biometric trigger, etc.

The term “motor” as used herein is intended to mean a rotating machinethat transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy, e.g., motion.It should be appreciated that “motor” as used throughout thisapplication includes but is not limited to a stepper motor, analternating current motor, or a direct current motor.

The term “processor” as used herein is used to indicate a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or electronic circuit within a computer configuredto carry out the instructions of a computer program. In the discussionthat follows, it should be understood that stating that the processorimplements an action or that the processor is configured to implement anaction is analogous to stating that the processor is configured toexecute the computer readable instructions and implement or execute theaction. Moreover, the term “computer” is intended to mean an assembly ofcomponents, e.g., a processor, memory element, input device, and outputdevice, arranged to receive inputs, produce outputs, store informationand algorithms, and execute instructions, and is not intended to belimited to any specific arrangement or group of components.

The term “memory element”, as used herein, is intended to mean a devicethat stores one item of information: if it has q stable states it issaid to be q-ary, and if q=2 it is said to be binary. A memory elementis usually implemented electronically, sometimes with the assistance ofthe magnetic, optical, or acoustic properties of a storage medium. Inpractice, most memory elements are binary. In fast computer circuitry,the flip-flop is the most common type of memory element; however, othermemory elements also fall within the scope of the present definition,e.g., random access memory (RAM), a compact disc (CD), and a magneticdisk.

It should be understood that use of “or” in the present application iswith respect to a “non-exclusive” arrangement, unless stated otherwise.For example, when saying that “item x is A or B,” it is understood thatthis can mean one of the following: (1) item x is only one or the otherof A and B; (2) item x is both A and B. Alternately stated, the word“or” is not used to define an “exclusive or” arrangement. For example,an “exclusive or” arrangement for the statement “item x is A or B” wouldrequire that x can be only one of A and B. Furthermore, as used herein,“and/or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicatethat one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be includedor occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a secondelement and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any oneof the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a firstelement; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising athird element; a device comprising a first element and a second element;a device comprising a first element and a third element; a devicecomprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or, adevice comprising a second element and a third element.

Moreover, although any methods, devices or materials similar orequivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice ortesting of these embodiments, some embodiments of methods, devices, andmaterials are now described.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a printer system, e.g., printer system10, including computer 20, button 30, and media feeder 100. Computer 20comprises User Interface UI, at least one memory element 102, andprocessor 104. Processor 104 is operatively arranged to execute a set ofthe computer readable instructions 106, as described in greater detailbelow. A user may interact with the UI to select loading preference 110.Loading preference 110 implements an embodiment of the steps of themethod, described infra, that aids a person with a disability inrefilling media feeder 100 with printable media 112. For example,loading preference 110 could indicate a preference to accommodate thosewith disabilities in conformance with the Americans with DisabilitiesAct (ADA). It should be appreciated that, media feeder 100 is typicallypositioned closest to floor 114. When in this position, those usersrestricted to a wheel chair or who have trouble bending over completelymay find it difficult to load printable media 112 into media feeder 100.In some embodiments, printer system 10 may include media feeder 115, inaddition to or as an alternative to media feeder 100. Media feeder 115may have a higher capacity than media feeder 100, or may hold anddeliver media of a different type or size than media feeder 100.Moreover, in embodiments including media feeder 115, additional inputoptions may be included on or within media feeder 115, e.g., button 117or graphic user interface 119. It should be appreciated that buttons 30and 117 are not limited to any particular type of button but may be anyvariety of button presently known or later developed.

FIG. 2 depicts media feeder 100 in first position 116. Media feeder 100broadly comprises tray 118, sensor 120, motor 122, and track 124. Tray118 is any substantially flat member operatively arranged to acceptprintable media 112. Sensor 120 is any device or apparatus that candetermine the presence of printable media located on tray 118, e.g.,optical sensors, contact sensors, conductivity sensors, etc. Track 124is operatively connected to motor 122 and tray 118. Motor 122 isoperatively arranged to impart motion to track 124, which in turnimparts movement to tray 118 in a first direction D1 or a seconddirection D2, opposite D1. In the event there is an insufficientquantity printable media within tray 118 for a large job, or there is noprintable media within tray 118, a user approaches printer system 10,and utilizes the User Interface UI to introduce a first input byselecting loading preference 110. For example, a first input couldinclude but is not limited to actuation of a button, selection of a menuoption, etc. Computer 20 receives a first input and sends instructionsto motor 122. Motor 122, in combination with track 124, translates tray118 in second direction D2 until sensor 120 confirms that a first sheetof printable media 128 is in position to be fed into printer system 10,or that tray 118 is empty and in its highest elevational position.Computer 20 then stores first position 116 in memory element 102. Itshould be appreciated that, in the alternative to utilizing UserInterface UI to generate a first input, a user could utilize button 30to generate a first input. Moreover, in some circumstances, tray 124 maybegin with printable media within tray 124. In such circumstances, afterreceipt of a first input, computer 20 stores first position 116 inmemory element 102 and then proceeds to moving tray 124 in firstdirection D1 as described below with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 depicts media feeder 100 in second position 130. After computer20 stores first position 116 in memory, computer 20 executes computerreadable instructions 106 to operate motor 122 and track 124 totranslate tray 118 in first direction D1, opposite direction D2, firstdistance 132, coming to rest at second position 130. It should beappreciated that translating tray 118 to second position 130 may also beor alternatively initiated by the user generating an additional input,e.g., via User Interface UI or button 30, authorizing tray 118 to belowered to second position 130. In some embodiments, first distance 132is the thickness of first quantity of media 136, or the thickness of afirst quantity of media 136 plus an additional distance to ensure tray118 moves more than the distance required to allow for a particularthickness of printable media to be loaded in tray 118. For example,first quantity of media 136 could be a ream (500 sheets) of paper. Insome embodiments where a ream of standard printer paper is about twoinches (2″) in thickness, first distance 132 could be 2″, or it could be2.1″ to ensure a full ream of paper fits in the space provided. Itshould be appreciated that first distance 132 is not limited to 2.1″.For example, first distance 132 could range from two inches (2″) tothree inches (3″) for a full ream of paper, or range from one inch (1″)to two inches (2″) for a half-ream (250 sheets) of paper. The user canthen load the first quantity of media 136 into tray 118. If the user issatisfied that first quantity of media 136 is sufficient for theimmediate job, the user can utilize User Interface UI, or button 30, togenerate a second input indicating that first quantity of media 136 hasbeen loaded into tray 118 and that the user is ready to use printersystem 10. In some embodiments, motor 122 and track 124 then translatetray 118 holding first quantity of media 136 in second direction D2until first sheet 140 of first quantity of media 136 triggers sensor120, indicating that tray 118 is now in feeding position 142. In feedingposition 142, printer system 10 is operatively arranged to draw orreceive first sheet 140 of the first quantity of media 136.

FIG. 4 depicts media feeder 100 in third position 144. If a user knowsthat first quantity of media 136 is insufficient to complete theimmediate job, the user can utilize User Interface UI, or button 30, togenerate a second input indicating that first quantity of media 136 isinsufficient. In embodiments when the user generates a second inputindicating that additional printable media is required, motor 122 andtrack 124 translate tray 118 holding first quantity of media 136 infirst direction D1, opposite direction D2, second distance 146 fromsecond position 130 to third position 144. Similar to first distance132, in some embodiments, second distance 146 could be 2″, or it couldbe 2.1″ to ensure a full ream of paper fits in the space provided. Itshould be appreciated that, second distance 146 is not limited to 2.1″.For example, second distance 146 could range from two inches (2″) tothree inches (3″) for a full ream of paper, or range from one inch (1″)to two inches (2″) for a half-ream (250 sheets) of paper. The user canthen load second quantity of media 148 on top of first quantity of media136. If the user is satisfied that second quantity of media 148 inaddition to first quantity of media 136 are sufficient for an immediatejob, the user can utilize User Interface UI, or button 30, to generate athird input indicating that second quantity of media 148 has been loadedinto tray 118 and that the user is ready to use printer system 10. Motor122 and track 124 then translate tray 118, holding first quantity ofmedia 136 and second quantity of media 148, in second direction D2 untilfirst sheet 152 of second quantity of media 148 triggers sensor 120,indicating that tray 118 is now in feeding position 142. In feedingposition 142, printer system 10 is operatively arranged to draw orreceive first sheet 152 of second quantity of media 148.

FIG. 5 depicts media feeder 100 in fourth position 154. If a user knowsthat first quantity of media 136 and second quantity of media 148 areinsufficient to complete the immediate job, the user can utilize UserInterface UI, or button 30, to generate a third input indicating thatfirst quantity of media 136 and second quantity of media 148 areinsufficient. In embodiments when the user generates a third inputindicating that additional printable media is required, motor 122 andtrack 124 then translate tray 118, holding first quantity of media 136and second quantity of media 148, in first direction D1, third distance156 from third position 144 to fourth position 154. In some embodiments,third distance 156 could be 2″, or it could be 2.1″ to ensure a fullream of paper fits in the space provided. It should be appreciated thatthird distance 156 is not limited to 2.1″. For example, third distance156 could range from two inches (2″) to three inches (3″) for a fullream of paper, or range from one inch (1″) to two inches (2″) for ahalf-ream (250 sheets) of paper. The user can then load third quantityof media 158 on top of second quantity of media 148. If the user issatisfied that first quantity of media 136, second quantity of media148, and third quantity of media 158 are sufficient for an immediatejob, the user can utilize User Interface UI, or button 30, to generatefourth input 160 indicating that third quantity of media 158 has beenloaded into tray 118 and that the user is ready to use printer system10. Motor 122 and track 124 translate tray 118 holding first quantity ofmedia 136, second quantity of media 148, and third quantity of media 158in second direction D2 until first sheet 162 of third quantity of media158 triggers sensor 120, indicating that tray 118 is now in feedingposition 142. In feeding position 142, printer system 10 is operativelyarranged to draw or receive first sheet 162 of third quantity of media158.

It should be appreciated that media feeder 115 is arranged to operate inthe same fashion as described above with respect to media feeder 100.

It should be further appreciated that the description included abovewith respect to the various embodiments of the present system and methodare not limited to loading one, two or three quantities of media. Forexample, it is within the scope of the present disclosure to load fouror more quantities of media as well.

FIG. 6 depicts a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for loading amedia feeder, as described in detail above. An embodiment of the presentmethod of loading a media feeder of a printer comprises the followingsteps. First, a first input is received from a user selecting a firstloading preference (Step 200). In embodiments where no printable mediais present in a tray of the media feeder upon receipt of the firstinput, the tray of the media feeder is moved in a second direction (Step202). In embodiments where printable media is present in the tray of themedia feeder upon receipt of the first input, the method proceeds to thenext step without executing Step 202. Then, a first position of the trayis sensed with a first sensor (Step 204). Next, the first position isstored in at least one memory element (Step 206). Then, the tray ismoved in a first direction, opposite the second direction, to a secondposition (Step 208). Next, a first quantity of media is loaded into thetray (Step 210). Next, a second input is received from the userauthorizing the tray to lower (Step 212). Last, the tray is moved in thesecond direction until a first sheet of the last quantity of medialoaded in the tray is in a feeding position for the printer (Step 214).It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, Steps 202 and 204 arenot required, e.g., when a quantity of media is present in the traybefore initiating the present method.

In some embodiments, the second input indicates the first quantity ofmedia has been loaded into the tray and initiates movement of the trayto a third position a second distance from the first position (Step216). Then, a second quantity of media is loaded into the tray (Step218). Then, a third input is received indicating the second quantity ofmedia has been loaded into the tray (Step 220). It should be appreciatedthat in some embodiments, Steps 216, 218 and 220 occur between Steps 212and 214. However, the process may be repeated more than two times duringinstances when more than two quantities of paper are required, e.g., byrepeating Steps 208, 210 and 212 as Step 222 until such time assufficient quantity of media has been loaded into the media feeder.

FIG. 7 depicts a flow chart of an embodiment of a computer based methodfor loading a media feeder implemented by computer 20, as described indetail above. An embodiment of a computer based method for loading amedia feeder of a printer comprises the following steps. First, computerreadable instructions are stored in at least one memory element of atleast one computer (Step 300). Then, the computer readable instructionsare executed using at least one processor for the at least one computer(Step 302). The computer readable instructions include the followingsteps. First, a first input is received from a user selecting a firstloading preference (Step 304). In embodiments where no printable mediais present in a tray of the media feeder upon receipt of the firstinput, the tray of the media feeder is moved with at least one motor ina second direction (Step 306). In embodiments where printable media ispresent in the tray of the media feeder upon receipt of the first input,the method proceeds to the next step without executing Step 306. Next, afirst position of the tray is sensed with a first sensor (Step 308).Then, the first position is stored in at least one memory element (Step310). Next, the tray is moved in a first direction, opposite the seconddirection, a first distance from the first position to a second position(Step 312). Then, a first quantity of media is loaded into the tray(Step 314). Next, a second input is received indicating the firstquantity of media has been loaded into the tray (Step 316). Last, thetray is moved in the second direction until a first sheet of the lastquantity of media loaded in the tray is in a feeding position for theprinter (Step 318). It should be appreciated that in some embodiments,Steps 306 and 308 are not required, e.g., when a quantity of media ispresent in the tray before initiating the present method.

In some embodiments, the second input indicates the first quantity ofmedia has been loaded into the tray and initiates movement of the trayto a third position a second distance from the first position (Step320). Then, a second quantity of media is loaded into the tray (Step322). Then, a third input is received indicating the second quantity ofmedia has been loaded into the tray (Step 324). It should be appreciatedthat in some embodiments, Steps 320, 322 and 324 occur between Steps 316and 318. However, the process may be repeated more than two times duringinstances when more than two quantities of paper are required, e.g., byrepeating Steps 312, 314 and 316 as Step 326 until such time assufficient quantity of media has been loaded into the media feeder.

In some embodiments, the foregoing system includes a partial or fullymechanical arrangement of components that result in the benefits andcapabilities described above. Some mechanical options are capable ofmoving a tray between positions located at fixed distances relative toeach other. For example, a gear of a known size, rotated one revolution,may be used to translate a complementarily engaged shaft. Alternatively,a geneva drive, i.e., a gear mechanism that translates a continuousrotation into an intermittent rotary motion, or some other mechanism foraffecting movement of the tray may be used to convert a singlerevolution of a drive wheel into a partial revolution of a driven wheel,and thereby translation of a shaft engaged with the driven wheel by anymeans known in the art.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Variouspresently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications,variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by thoseskilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of loading a media feeder of a printersystem comprising: receiving a first input from a user selecting a firstloading preference; storing a first position of the tray in at least onememory element; moving with at least one motor, the tray in a firstdirection a first distance from the first position to a second position;loading a first quantity of media into the tray; receiving a secondinput indicating the first quantity of media has been loaded into thetray; and, moving the tray in a second direction, opposite the firstdirection, until a first sheet of the first quantity of media is in afeeding position for the printer.
 2. The method of loading a mediafeeder of a printer system of claim 1, after the step of receiving afirst input, further comprising: moving with the at least one motor, thetray of the media feeder in the second direction; sensing with a firstsensor a first position of the tray.
 3. The method of loading a mediafeeder of a printer system of claim 1, wherein the first and secondinputs are received from the user via a User Interface (UI) and/or abutton.
 4. The method of loading a media feeder of a printer system ofclaim 1 further comprising: receiving an additional input to authorizethe tray to move from the first position to the second position, whereinthe additional input is received via a User Interface (UI) or a button.5. The method of loading a media feeder of a printer system of claim 1,wherein the at least one motor is a stepper motor, an alternatingcurrent motor, or a direct current motor.
 6. The method of loading amedia feeder of a printer system of claim 1, wherein at least one ormore additional quantities of media are loaded by repeating the steps ofmoving the tray in the first direction, loading an additional quantityof media into the tray and receiving an additional input indicating theadditional quantity of media has been loaded into the tray.
 7. A methodof loading a media feeder of a printer system comprising: receiving afirst input from a user selecting a first loading preference; storing afirst position of the tray in at least one memory element; moving withat least one motor, the tray in a first direction a first distance fromthe first position to a second position; loading a first quantity ofmedia into the tray; receiving a second input indicating the firstquantity of media has been loaded into the tray; moving the tray in thefirst direction to a third position a second distance from the secondposition; loading a second quantity of media into the tray; receiving athird input indicating the second quantity of media has been loaded intothe tray; and, moving the tray in a second direction, opposite the firstdirection, until a first sheet of the second quantity of media is in afeeding position for the printer.
 8. The method of loading a mediafeeder of a printer system of claim 7, after the step of receiving afirst input, further comprising: moving with the at least one motor, thetray of the media feeder in the second direction; sensing with a firstsensor a first position of the tray.
 9. The method of loading a mediafeeder of a printer system of claim 7, wherein the first and secondinputs are received from the user via a User Interface (UI) and/or abutton.
 10. The method of loading a media feeder of a printer system ofclaim 7 further comprising: receiving an additional input to authorizethe tray to move from the first position to the second position, whereinthe additional input is received via a User Interface (UI) and/or abutton.
 11. The method of loading a media feeder of a printer system ofclaim 7, wherein the at least one motor is a stepper motor, analternating current motor, or a direct current motor.
 12. The method ofloading a media feeder of a printer system of claim 7, wherein at leastone or more additional quantities of media are loaded by repeating thesteps of moving the tray in the first direction, loading an additionalquantity of media into the tray and receiving an additional inputindicating the additional quantity of media has been loaded into thetray.